Pilate Before Jesus

Wishing to satisfy the crowd. How's that for an epitaph pilot who wished to satisfy the crowd right that in stone over his life's a despicable thing over and over and over. He declares the innocence of Jesus these programs after having Jesus heard handed him over. No matter how great the gift.

Your enthusiasm about it probably waned over time until one day you probably forgot about it altogether. Well, if Christ has transformed your heart and you have received the greatest gift of all eternal life.

That's not something you're going to forget about yet.

Because Christians are not perfect. There can be times when the joy of salvation grows a little bit cold in moments like that.

In fact, all the time you need fresh reminders of what Christ has done for you, so stay here on grace to you as John MacArthur looks at Christ's incredible sacrifice in the brand-new series called the divine drama of redemption and now here's John. Let's open the word of God to the 15th chapter of Mark's gospel and in this particular portion of Scripture, we meet this fascinating character by the name of pilot username to add to the rogues gallery that we've been accumulating in the drama of the murder of Jesus. Names like Judas and Annis and Caiaphas and Herod and now the Roman governor by the name of pilot they are all part of the black backdrop set behind the shining glory of the Lord Jesus, all of them tried to use their position and their power and their influence and their wits to bring Jesus to his end.

There is a story of the final player in this rogues gallery a man named Pilate a tragic self-serving coward who was on trial for his own life and his own career and his own eternal destiny as he stood before Jesus but to read the account early in the morning, the chief priests with the elders, and scribes in the whole counsel immediately held a consultation and binding Jesus. They led him away and delivered him to Pilate pilot questioned him. Are you the king of the Jews, and he answered him it as it is, as you say, the chief priest began to accuse him harshly, then pilot questioned him again saying do you not answer. See how many charges they bring against you but Jesus made no further answer. So Pilate was amazed now at the feast he used to release for them any one prisoner, whom they requested a man named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionist who had committed murder and the insurrection.

The crowd went up and began asking him to do as he had been accustomed to do for them.

Pilate answered them, saying, do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews, for he was aware that the chief priests and handed him over because of envy, but the chief priest stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them. Instead answering again. Pilate said to them, then what shall I do with him whom you call the king of the Jews, they shouted back, crucify him. But Pilate said to them, why, what evil has he done, but they shouted all the more. Crucify him wishing to satisfy the crowd.

Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourge.

He handed him over to be crucified.

In verse 12 is the ultimate question that every human has to answer what shall I do with him whom you call the king of the Jews. Every one has their eternal destiny based on how they answer that question. Pilate and everyone since now the Jewish part is done, but they must bring the Romans into this. That is why we see them binding Jesus here in verse one, leading him away to Pilate, you might ask why is that the answer is in John's Gospel is John's record gives us a very specific answer. John 1831 they said we are not permitted to put anyone to death the EU's gladioli, which is Latin for the power of the sword was taken from Israel the power of the sword.

The power of execution belonged only to Rome in all its occupied countries, the Jews had no legal right to execution.

They had no rights to kill so they must get permission from the Romans, so their case must come to Pilate and I would pick it up in verse one early in the morning, the chief priest with the elders after the mock trial in the day, and that's essentially the whole counsel immediately held a consultation. The whole counsel is unanimous on this.

There they are all committed to the death of Jesus, so they hold their consultation as to this legal issue of having the Romans by necessity do the execution so they bind Jesus.

John gives us more details in John 18, he is bound and taken off the Pilate pilot. By the way, has a very elevated opinion of his power.

He says to Jesus, don't you know that by I have authority over you. I can do anything I want to you. John 1910 Jesus says you have no authority over me at all if it was not given you from on high Jesus that is in Pilate's judgment hall is somewhere around 6 AM, between 5 and 6 AM.

All of this happens very rapidly. These places are very very close together. John gives us a little more detail.

And it's good to get this detail although we won't do spend a lot of time digging down into a go to John 18 for a moment, a little more detail is as necessary. They led Jesus from Caiaphas into the praetorian into the praetorian and it was early and they themselves did not enter into the praetorian so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. These hypocrites or something. I think they don't want to be defiled while they're trying to murder the son of God because they don't want to step on Gentile land, but they bring Jesus to the praetorian pilot went out to them because they wouldn't go in and said what accusation do you bring against this man, this is a legal question pilot is acting now as a judge. He is a judge. He is Rome's primary judge. He is the final court of appeal in Israel for Rome and for any cases that need to be adjudicated by Rome but they don't want pilot as a judge. They want pilot merely as an executioner. They don't want another trial. They don't want a retrial.

They don't want any questions like this to be asked, so they simply answer in verse 30.

If this man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered him to you. They they don't want to answer the question they want to impugn Pilate for asking the question, as if to say who are you to distrust us, we would be bringing him to you to execute because you alone at the power to execute unless there was reason he is an evildoer. That's why we're here and that's why we brought him, now you you have to know the Pilate was fully aware of Jesus. He had been fully aware of Jesus. Who knows how long.

Who knows how many weeks or months or years he had known about Jesus. He was well aware of the issues concerning Jesus and he is also well aware that this is a blatant miscarriage of justice. He knows that.

So Pilate said to them in verse 31 taken yourselves and judge them according to your law, kill them yourself.

He gives them permission to execute Jesus and the Jews said to him were not permitted to put anyone to death there. They're going to be so noble that they would never think of overstepping the parameters of Roman law, when I can.

We we really are not allowed to do that, all of a sudden they're becoming so legal so righteous they don't want the responsibility of executing Jesus. They don't want to deal with the implications and repercussions. They've gotta give Pilate some reason for executing Jesus in Luke 23 to comes in at this point they make three accusation.

This is what they said he is perverting our nation. He is forbidding to pay taxes and is claiming to be king. All false all lies.

He did not pervert the nation they did. He did not forbid the pay taxes. He told people to pay their taxes, and he paid his own and while he claimed to be a king. His kingdom was never of this world they lied, but that was nothing new for them not to go back to the 15th chapter of Mark, this is what happened between verses one to Pilate then questioned him. Are you the king of the Jews, and he went right to the third one because this one fascinated him the most. Apparently are you the king of the Jews and of course there's scorn in that because is nothing about Jesus that makes him look royal or regal. Remember his condition at this time, he has still a garment on that has been profusely stained by sweat and blood. He has the face that is battered and bruised from punches and slaps spit all over his face is not been washed.

Pick up on John's version of this pilot enter into the praetorian someone Jesus in got him inside said to him, are you the king of the Jews, Jesus answered, are you saying this on your own initiative or did others tell you about me pilot answer, not a Jew, am I your own nation and the chief priest delivered you to me what have you done Jesus answered my kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews.

But as it is, my kingdom is not of this realm. Therefore, Pilate said to him, so you are a king Jesus answered you say correctly that I am a king.

For this I have been born and for this I have come into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.

Pilate said to him, is truth. While an agnostic cynic and when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews instead of them. I find no guilt in this man, let's go back again to Mark's gospel. Are you the king of the Jews. It is as you say when Pilate says I find no guilt in this man, the chief priest verse three began to accuse him harshly.

Verse four.

Pilate questioned him again saying you not answer.

See how many charges they bring against you they were just throwing charges at him.

These are the Sanhedrin members.

These are the judges of Israel. This is the Supreme Court and there's a rare silence in court. Jesus gives no defense against these lies against this illegal barrage verse five, Jesus made no further answer. So Pilate was amazed from the verb found module to tomorrow to to be in wonder who you were somebody being accused of all kinds of things that he didn't do that were true, and he makes no defense makes no defense. What's probably going to do pallets in a tough spot between verse five and six. Something happens. What happens he sends Jesus to Herod for the record of this go to Luke 23 verse eight.

Was very glad when he saw Jesus, for he wanted to see them for a long time because he been hearing about them and hoping to see some signs performed by him once he miracles. The question him at some length but he answered them, nothing in the chief priests and the scribes were standing there accusing him vehemently.

They follow Jesus to Herod, and there there with the same screaming screeching accusations and Herod with his soldiers. After treating him with contempt and mocking him dressed him in a gorgeous robe and send them back to Pilate, not Herod and Pilate became friends with one another. That very day, for they had been before enemies with each other when Herod finally meets Jesus. He's not impressed. He thinks it's a joke.

He looks at this beleaguered man and he concludes this is no threat to anybody.

He says nothing to defend himself and the chief priests and the scribes keep firing the accusations they put a gorgeous robe on him word is a lamp process means brilliant shining bright some kind of a dazzling robe on him and this is part of the comedy that's now beginning to crank up. This is a joke that this man is a king that this man is a threat is written to kill us. Absolutely ridiculous.

Herod wants nothing to do with him. He just sent them back. Verse 11 to Pilate. Why does Pilate send Jesus to Herod. I think from pilots point to confirm Jesus innocence. That's what I think. I think I think he wanted Herod to say I agree with you, this man had done anything in de facto that's essentially what Herod did when he sent them back without any kind of sentence with any kind of adjudication from God's viewpoint. This is just another testimony in the mouth if you will, de facto of a second witness.

Deuteronomy 1915 of the innocence of Jesus. It was only the Jews who want the son of God, murdered only the Jews, so Jesus is now sent back to Pilate, for let's go back. Mark 15 will wrap it up back he goes to Pilate front hang on to justice. He makes an appeal which is recorded in the 23rd chapter of Luke.

The said to them, you brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined him before you. I found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against them, nor has Herod resend them back to us and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by him.

Therefore, how's this for conclusion. Therefore, I will punish him in relation punish them for what you just said he didn't do anything. I will punish them unjustly illegally cowardly and then released him.

When you be satisfied with that. If I just lash him. Now we pick up historian Mark 15 again at the fees to use to release for them. This is phase 3 pilot phase 1 Herod phase 2 back pilot phase 3 used a release for them. Anyone prisoner whom they requested. This was the kind of a way to conciliate with an occupied people amnesty amnesty for one prisoner of the People's choice auto ancient sources say this was a provision of goodwill of the Roman governors did in a lot of places to try to maintain some sense of the mercy and he was sure. I think that the people would want Jesus after all Jesus was a miracle worker, so he's done with the Sanhedrin enough to deal with them anymore.

There there that there are incorrigible but now he's going to turn to the population, and he feels he's on pretty safe ground.

Finally, here because of what happened on Monday when Jesus came and they hailed him as their king man named Barabbas. Verse seven was his choice as an option. He had been imprisoned with the insurrectionist who had committed murder and the insurrection.

Pilate thinks maybe this is going to be the way out, turn to the people. The crowd went up verse eight and began asking him to do as he had been accustomed to do for them. Phase the Passover release a prisoner so Pilate answers them in verse nine and says do you want me to release for you the king of the June so much scorn in that he is a man full of bitterness, guilt, hate, let history record that this pagan new Jesus was innocent of all charges and he gives the people of Israel. The choice to stop the corrupt efforts of the Sanhedrin and to have Jesus released. He turns to the people expecting the response. Yes, we want Jesus the great teacher the greatest teacher ever.

The miracle worker. We want Jesus and the reason he thought it was unsafe. Brown is in verse 10. Very interesting verse. He was where the chief priests and handed them over because of envy, that's correct.

That's looking for a motive here.

There is, they were jealous of his power. They were jealous of his popularity.

They were jealous of his teaching. They hated him because of envy, and he knew that and he was sure it was the envy of the leaders that made them the way they were. And if you went to the people. It would be different because the people had hailed him as their king and their Messiah. We pick it up again in verse 11 of Mark 15, the chief priest stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them. Instead, unthinkable for the Barabbas overdue for anybody.

What good was Barabbas and yet Luke says they all to gather declared they wanted Barabbas.

In fact, in Luke 2318 and it's recorded that they said away with this man and release Barabbas release Barabbas let the guilty live kill the sinless one treat the guilty as innocent and treat the innocent as guilty, so now they render their verdict on Jesus and in the reality of it. Jesus renders his verdict on them. Luke says Pilate wanting to release Jesus still addresses the crowd again verse 12 Pilate said to them, then what shall I do with him whom you call the king of the Jews. What will I do with verse 13.

They shouted back, crucified that's the crowd. They have been led into this hysteria by the Sanhedrin, truly hard to understand, is not from Monday to Friday. They join the rest of the corrupt blasphemers they take their place with Judas in Annas and Caiaphas and Herod and Pilate in the Sanhedrin and Pilate still incredulous. Verse 14 said to them, why, what evil has he done another declaration of innocence. Another one with the crowd is relentless. They shouted all the more.

Crucify him pilots finished done in any collapses under the threat he has to bow to their will, and the first line in verse 15 is an amazing statement wishing to satisfy the crowd has that for an epitaph. Pilate who wished to satisfy the crowd right that in stone over his life's a despicable thing over and over and over.

He declares the innocence of Jesus, but he release Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged.

He handed him over to be crucified, scourged what was mean to be scourged means to be whipped, flogged, is another term that could express that whips a wooden handle long thongs embedded in the ends of the thongs would be pieces of bone, the sharp pieces of bone and stone and iron massive blood loss.

Many people died, there would be to Lichter's alternating blows. He was handed over to be scourged in John 19 would get a more detailed account of this.

The soldiers twisted John 19 to together a crown of thorns put on his head, put a purple robe on him began to come up to him and say hail, King of the Jews and the comedy continues.

The irony, the sarcasm, the mockery the scorn in the Dave them slaps in the face like they had seen the Sanhedrin do Pilate came out again and said to them, behold, I'm bringing him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in him. This is after the scourging brings him back. Jesus came out, this time wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. The soldiers had put on them and mockery and Pilate said, behold, the man take a look at him that not enough. So when the chief priests and the officer saw him, they cried out, saying crucified, crucify, cried out, away with him away with him, crucify him. Pilate said to them, shall I crucify your king the chief priests answered. We have no king but Caesar so handed them over to be crucified. How did this happen while one answer is because man is so totally rich.

The other answer is because God is so totally merciful.

Here we see the worst of men in the best of God.

He is bruised for our iniquities is and is is a 53 this is grace to you with John MacArthur. Thanks for being with us. John is Chancellor of the Masters University in seminary in the Los Angeles area is titled his brand-new Easter series, the divine drama of redemption.

You know John, it's significant that the title of today's message is Pilate before Jesus it's not Jesus before Pilate, and that helps put this part of the redemption story in perspective because it speaks to, who's really in charge and who's really on trial in everything that's happening there in Jerusalem. It was God himself in charge. This is a divine plan that was unfolding. Yeah, it's an irony that caused me to change the title from Jesus before Pilate, the Pilate before Jesus, didn't know what he was on trial and Jesus was the judge affect the whole nation of Israel was on trial and Jesus was the judge the crucify her's were on trial and Jesus was the judge. There is so much irony is so much unfolding magnificent beauty in the story of Jesus trials and death that I wrote a book some years ago called the murder of Jesus.

It looks deep into the details of his trial, multifaceted trial and all that led up to and including his his crucifixion. Fascinating book, the murder of Jesus takes you to the scene of the crime and there are so many details that have been overlooked, even historically in this book will spell them out draw them out of Scripture and lead you up to a fresh and new understanding of the marvelous sacrifice of Christ. The book titled the murder of Jesus. A great tool for kindling your love for him and your gratitude for your salvation again this is a book 250 pages that you're going to need to spend some time reading because you're going to have to stop and take your breath as you read the details that led up to the death of our Savior the book again the murder of Jesus. Available from Grace to you and as John said the murder of Jesus will give you a greater appreciation for your salvation. I can't think of a better reason to read a book than that to place your order. Contact us today call our toll-free number 855 grace or go to GT Y.org the book the murder of Jesus looks at both the physical side of Christ's crucifixion and the spiritual supernatural redemptive side as well. It will help you better understand history's most heinous act of human injustice as well as the greatest demonstration of love. The world will oversee again to pick up a copy of the murder of Jesus. Call 855 grace or go to GT Y.org and remember@gty.org you can access thousands of free resources. You can read daily devotionals or watch video from John's conference appearances or download all of John's sermons including his current series, the divine drama of redemption, all free of charge.

If you're not sure where to start. Try grace stream to continuous broadcast of John's verse by verse teaching that begins in Matthew chapter 1 and goes all the way through Revelation 22 the website again. GT Y.org now for John MacArthur. I'm Phil Johnson encouraging you to be here tomorrow as John looks at the magnitude of what Christ endured on the cross and why he endured. Don't miss the next 30 minutes of unleashing God's truth one person at a time on Fridays.

Christine